The achievements of Belfast’s Olympic and Paralympic athletes in the Paris 2024 games have been recognised at a special reception in City Hall.
Mayor Micky Murray hosted the event which saw coaches, volunteers, grassroots sports clubs and Olympians gather to celebrate a historic summer for local athletes.
Jack McMillan who took home Gold in the 4 x 200m freestyle relay told his story of going from the from swimming pool to podium, becoming an Olympic champion.
Meanwhile first-time Olympian track cyclist Erin Creighton was joined on stage by Damian Kennedy, head boxing coach with Team Ireland, to discuss the preparations involved to compete on the world’s biggest sporting stage.
Paralympian Katie Morrow, part of the GB wheelchair basketball squad, also shared her excitement at joining her fellow athletes in Paris while equestrian rider Austen Burns, who competed at last month’s Paralympics for Canada but now lives and trains in the north, explained why he has made Belfast his sporting base.
The special guests then took questions from the audience, including 1972 Munich gold medallist Lady Mary Peters, as well as aspiring young athletes from clubs across the city.
Mr Murray said: “Belfast has a long tradition of sporting success and this summer, we’ve shown that we can more than hold our own on a world stage.
“There is so much work that goes into creating those magic moments – from training to competition to elite level, and everything in between – and it’s been brilliant to welcome all of those involved.
“Our council is proud to be a strong supporter of sport in the city and I’ve made celebrating sport and physical activity a key pillar of my own year in office.
“From our £105 million investment into our leisure estate to our Support for Sport programme which has helped athletes like Jack along their way, we recognise the importance and value of sport in improving wellbeing, providing opportunities and creating a legacy for both our athletes and our city.”
